Combined dictionary based and likely character string method of handwriting recognition

A method comprising the steps of:

• analyzing handwritten input to provide one or more candidate characters;
• comparing at least some entries in a dictionary with at least some combinations of the candidate characters to identify at least one candidate dictionary word that might represent the handwritten input;
• determining at least one likely non-dictionary string from at least some combinations of the candidate characters that has a highest likelihood of representing the handwritten input, the determining step being independent of the comparing step;
• identifying for presentation a list including:
• the at least one candidate dictionary word;
• and
• the likely non-dictionary string when the likely non-dictionary string is not one of the candidate dictionary word otherwise so provided in the list;
• and
• selecting one of the words in the list to provide a selected word.

A method comprising the steps of:

• analyzing handwritten alphanumeric input comprising a word that includes a plurality of alphanumeric characters to provide a plurality of candidate characters that may correspond to the alphanumeric characters that comprise the word;
• automatically accessing a dictionary and comparing at least some word entries in the dictionary with at least some combinations of the candidate characters to identify candidate dictionary words that might represent the word;
• automatically identifying as a likely non-dictionary string a combination of candidate characters that has a highest combined corresponding likelihood of being correct without regard to the dictionary;
• providing a list of words including (i) at least one of the candidate dictionary words and (ii) the likely non-dictionary string when the likely string is not one of the candidate words otherwise so provided in the list;
• selecting one of the words in the list to provide a selected word;
• displaying the selected word;
• displaying upon a request to display at least part of the list;
• and
• displaying at least one of the candidate dictionary words and the likely non-dictionary string when the likely non-dictionary string is not one of the candidate words otherwise so provided in the list.

A device capable of recognizing and editing handwritten input, comprising:

• a touch-sensitive display for receiving handwritten input;
• and
• digital processing circuitry programmed to:
• analyze the handwritten input to provide one or more candidate characters;
• compare at least some entries in a dictionary with at least some combinations of the candidate characters to identify at least one candidate dictionary word that might represent the handwritten input;
• determine at least one likely non-dictionary character string from at least some combination of the candidate characters that has a highest likelihood of representing the handwritten input, wherein the process of determining is independent of the process of comparing;
• and
• identify for presentation in a list of alternate word selections including:
• the at least one candidate dictionary word;
• and
• the at least one likely non-dictionary character string when the likely character string is not one of the candidate words otherwise so provided in the list.